Binocular system

ABSTRACT

A binocular system includes a first monocular, a second monocular, a mounting bracket, a base plate, coupled to the mounting bracket, a first arm coupled to the base plate via a first hinge and coupled to the first monocular via a first guide rail, and a second arm coupled to the base plate via a second hinge and coupled to the second monocular via a second guide rail. The monoculars are independently moveable using the guide rails and the hinges. Collimation of the monoculars is maintained independently of movement of the monoculars side to side and fore and aft on the guiderails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This application relates to the field of vision devices, and moreparticularly to the field of stereoscopic vision devices that areadjustable.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional helmet mounted vision devices may be stored in a raisedposition when the devices are not being used. In such a position, thedevices remain attached to the helmet, but are flipped vertically(stowed) so that the devices are significantly above the top of thehelmet. This makes the wearer more visible, which may not be desirablein certain situations (e.g., in military situations). Additionally, sucha configuration may make it difficult to move in some situations and mayput unnecessary strain on a user when the components are in the flipped(unused or stowed) position, making the user physically uncomfortable.

One solution is to use lightweight components to reduce user strain.However, this does not address the problem of the devices beingsignificantly above the user's head when flipped vertically in theunused (stowed) position. In addition, heavier components may bedesirable for strength, reliability, etc., but not necessarily forimproving optical properties. Accordingly, it may be possible to makehigher performing optics by paying a weight penalty. However, relativelyheavy components not only increase a user's physical discomfort whenplaced in a vertical (raised) position when not used, but may also beuncomfortable in the deployed position due to the weight and theposition in front of the head that stresses the user's neck.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a binocular system that addresses theissues of the user becoming more visible when the components are flippedvertically in an unused (stowed) position as well as the user beinguncomfortable when using relatively heavy components that are otherwisedesirable for other performance considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the system described herein, a binocular system includes afirst monocular, a second monocular, a mounting bracket, a base plate,coupled to the mounting bracket, a first arm coupled to the base platevia a first hinge and coupled to the first monocular via a first guiderail, and a second arm coupled to the base plate via a second hinge andcoupled to the second monocular via a second guide rail, where themonoculars are independently moveable using the guide rails and thehinges and wherein collimation of the monoculars is maintainedindependently of movement of the monoculars side to side and fore andaft on the guiderails. The binocular system may also include a base,interposed between the mounting bracket and the base plate and a tiltlever, having a cam that is operatively engaged with the base, whereactuation of the lever causes the base plate to tilt with respect to themounting bracket. Tilting the monoculars may not change the collimationthereof. The binocular system may also include a base, interposedbetween the mounting bracket and the base plate, the base having notchestherein, a height adjustment lever having a portion that engages thenotches of the base, and a spring that urges the height adjustment levertoward the notches, where disengaging the height adjustment lever fromthe notches allows for the height of the monoculars to be adjusted.Adjusting the height of the monoculars may not change the collimationthereof. The arms may be oriented at substantially a 50 degree anglewith respect to a horizontal axis. Rotating each of the monoculars abouta corresponding hinge thereof may cause each of the monoculars to be inan unused state. The monoculars may be independently placed in an unusedstate. The system may be mounted on a helmet. Each of the monocularsplaced in an unused state may be maintained below the top of the helmet.The binocular system may also include a helmet mount insert slideslidably coupled to the helmet mount and having a lip thereon and anopposing lip provided on the helmet mount, where sliding the helmetmount insert slide changes the distance between the lips. The binocularsystem may also include a mounting plate attached to a helmet and aspring that urges the lips apart, where the binocular system is attachedto a helmet by urging the lips closer together using the helmet mountinsert slide and then inserting the mounting bracket in the mountingplate prior to releasing the helmet mount insert slide. At least one ofthe monoculars may be a night vision device. The binocular system mayalso include a battery compartment and a rotary switch. The binocularsystem may also include an external source, coupled to the binocularsystem, that provides an electronic signal thereto. The electronicsignal may be a thermal image signal. The thermal image signal may besuperimposed on a visual image provided by one of the monoculars or thethermal image signal may replace a visual image provided by one of themonoculars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the system are described with reference to the severalfigures of the drawings, noted as follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a binocular system mounted ona helmet according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of a binocularsystem mounted on a helmet according to an embodiment of the systemdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment,without eye cups, of a binocular system mounted on a helmet according toan embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating positioning monocularsforward in a binocular system mounted on a helmet according to anembodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating positioning one monocularforward and one monocular aft in a binocular system mounted on a helmetaccording to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating lifting monoculars in abinocular system mounted on a helmet according to an embodiment of thesystem described herein.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating changing a distancebetween monoculars in a binocular system mounted on a helmet accordingto an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIGS. 8A-8D are a schematic diagrams illustrating placing one of themonoculars in an unused (stowed) position in a binocular system mountedon a helmet according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagrams illustrating placing both of themonoculars in an unused (stowed) position in a binocular system mountedon a helmet according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a schematic diagrams illustrating tilting themonoculars in a binocular system mounted on a helmet according to anembodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating a binocular system with amounting bracket according to an embodiment of the system describedherein.

FIG. 11B is a cross-section A-A of the binocular system shown in FIG.11A according to an embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mounting bracket and amounting plate of a binocular system according to an embodiment of thesystem described herein.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative view of amounting bracket and a mounting plate of a binocular system according toan embodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a height adjustmentmechanism of a binocular system according to an embodiment of the systemdescribed herein.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tilt adjustment mechanismof a binocular system according to an embodiment of the system describedherein.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a monocularattachment/adjustment mechanism of a binocular system according to anembodiment of the system described herein.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a binocular system with acompartment for electronic components according to an embodiment of thesystem described herein.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a binocular system with anexternal source according to an embodiment of the system describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a binocular system 30 is shown attached to a helmet40 that may be worn by a user. The binocular system 30 includes a firstmonocular 32 and a second monocular 34 that may be manipulatedindependently, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. Themonoculars 32, 34 may be night vision devices, thermal imaging devices,conventional optical magnifying devices, electronic display devices thatprovide at least some visual information according to an electronicsignal provided thereto (not illustrated in FIG. 1) and/or any devicethat provides useful visual information to a user. In some embodiments,it is possible for each of the monoculars 32, 34 to provide differenttypes of visual information. For example, the monocular 32 could be anight vision device while the monocular 34 is a conventional opticalmagnifying device. In other embodiments, both of the monoculars 32, 34are the same type of device, such as both being night vision devices. Itis also possible for one or both of the monoculars 32, 34 tosimultaneously provide different types of visual information therein.For example, the monocular 32 may provide conventional opticalmagnification with a corresponding thermal image superimposed thereon.In an embodiment herein, each of the monoculars 32, 34 includes adiopter adjustment. The binocular system 30 may be manufactured usingany suitable material such as any of a number of different metals,alloys, plastics, etc. provided that the material provides suitablestrength, flexibility, temperature variations, weight, etc. for thefunctionality described herein.

The monocular 32 is coupled to an arm 36 while the monocular 34 iscoupled to an arm 38. The arm 36 is coupled to a a hinge 44 to allowmovement of the arm 36 while the arm 38 is coupled to a hinge 46 toallow movement of the arm 36. A mounting bracket 42 attaches to thehelmet 40 via a mounting plate 47 that is fixedly attached to the helmet40. In some embodiments, it is possible to not use the mounting plate 47and have the mounting bracket 42 attach directly to the helmet 40 usingany appropriate attachment mechanism, such as screws, bolts, glue, etc.In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 42 may be an integral part ofthe helmet 40 that is fixedly inserted when the helmet is manufactured.Note also that the mounting plate 47 may be any appropriate shape thatcan provide the functionality described herein and consistent with costconstraints and other considerations. The arms 36, 38, the hinges 44,46, the bracket 42, and the mounting plate 47 are described in moredetail elsewhere herein.

An optional rotary switch 48 and an optional battery compartment 52(containing a battery, not shown in FIG. 1) may be used in instanceswhere one or both of the monoculars 32, 34 are night vision devices. Therotary switch 48 and/or the battery compartment 52 may be attached toand/or part of the base plate 62. Note that components of the binocularsystem 30 are located relatively close to the helmet 40 (user's head),which generally provides a more optimal weight distribution thatminimizes user discomfort. Note also that other types of switches, suchas a pushbutton switch, may be used instead of the rotary switch 48.

Referring to FIG. 2, the binocular system 30 is shown from the side. Themonocular 32 is shown as including an optional eye cups 54 that attachesto the eyepiece of the monocular 32 in order to make use morecomfortable and prevent stray light coming from the eyepiece fromshining on a user's face, thus making the user more easily detectable atnight. The eye cups 54 may be especially useful in instances where themonocular 32 is a night vision device. However, the eye cups 54 may beuseful in other instances. For example, the eye cups 54 may help preventwind and/or foreign particles from entering a user's eye or shade brightside lights.

Referring to FIG. 3, the binocular system 30 is shown without any eyecup. In some instances, an eye cup is not needed and/or not desirable.Even in instances where the monocular 32 is a night vision device, aneye cup may not be needed if, for example, being detected in thedarkness in not a concern (e.g., search and rescue operations, use inaircraft, etc).

Referring to FIG. 4, the binocular system 30 is shown with the monocular32 provided in a forward most position. Note that the monoculars 32, 34may be positioned fore or aft or any intermediate position independentlyof each other. Thus, positioning the monocular 32 in the forwardposition does not necessarily mean that the monocular 34 (not shown inFIG. 4) is also in the forward position. In an embodiment herein, thefore/aft adjustment for the monoculars 32, 34 may range from zero to 1.2inches, although other ranges are possible.

Referring to FIG. 5, the binocular system 30 is shown with the monocular32 in the fore position while the monocular 34 is in the aft position.There are a number of reasons why a user may do this, includingproviding different images or possibly even different versions of thesame image on each of the monoculars 32, 34.

Referring to FIG. 6, the binocular system 30 is shown with the monocular32 lifted (i.e. raised closer to the front edge of the helmet 40). In anembodiment herein, both monoculars 32, 34 are raised and lowered intandem so that the monocular 34 (not shown in FIG. 6) would be raised tothe same height as the monocular 32. In other embodiments; it may bepossible to raise and lower the monoculars 32, 34 independently of eachother. In an embodiment herein, the height adjustment for the monoculars32, 34 may range from zero to one inche, although other ranges arepossible.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the monoculars 32, 34 are shown withadjustments to the distance therebetween. In FIG. 7A, the monoculars 32,34 are positioned relatively close together. In FIG. 7B, the monoculars32, 34 are positioned relatively far apart. A user may adjust thedistance between the monoculars 32, 34 for any number of reasons,including comfort and to account for the actual distance between theuser's eyes. In an embodiment herein, the interpupillary distanceadjustment for the monoculars 32, 34 may range from 50 mm to 75 mm,although other ranges are possible.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, the binocular system 30 is shown with themonocular 32 flipped up (unused or stowed) while the other monocular 34remains deployed (i.e., in front of the user's eye). The system 30allows for either of the monoculars 32, 34 to be flipped up. In anembodiment herein, flipping up the monocular 32 causes the monocular 32to rotate so that the normally forward portion thereof faces backwardand vice versa. The monocular 32 may be flipped up by rotating the arm36 about the pivot point of the hinge 44 with a single joint pivotmechanism. The arms 36, 38 are provided at a substantially 50 degreeangle with respect to the horizontal axis so as to facilitate the singlejoint pivot mechanism and to provide beneficial weight distribution ofthe components both in the deployed position and in the unused (stowed)position. Of course, the arms 36, 38 may be provided at a somewhatdifferent angle with respect to the horizontal axis. The horizontal axisof the monocular 32 is substantially parallel to the ground andperpendicular to the direction of gravity when the user is standing andlooking straight ahead (i.e., when the helmet 40 is upright).

Of course, other techniques/mechanisms may be used to configure thesystem 30 so that one of the monoculars 32, 34 is in front of the user'seye while the other one of the monoculars 32, 34 is not. There may beany number of reasons why a user may deploy only one of the monoculars32, 34, including the desire to observe a scene both with the naked eye(no monocular) while viewing the same scene with the assistance providedby the monocular (e.g., night vision, thermal imaging, magnification,etc.).

Referring to FIG. 9, the system 30 is shown with both of the monoculars32, 34 stowed (unused). The monoculars 32, 34 may be flipped up in amanner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8A-8D with the monocular 32being stowed. The user may flip up both of the monoculars 32, 34 in anynumber of situations. For example, if the monoculars 32, 34 are nightvision devices, the user may flip up both monoculars 32, 34 if a scenebeing observed becomes lit. Note that, when in the raised (stowed)position, one or both of the monoculars 32, 34 do not extend above thetop of the helmet 40. Thus, the system described herein provides aminimized profile when either or both of the monoculars 32, 34 are inthe unused (stowed) position. Note also that the center of mass when themonoculars 32, 34 are in the stowed position is relatively close to theuser's head, thus minimizing user discomfort.

In an embodiment herein, the binocular system 30 may include a mechanismfor maintaining one or both of the monoculars in the deployed and/or inthe unused position, such as a spring-loaded steel ball andcorresponding holes provided in connection with the hinges 44, 46 wherethe ball is urged through one of the holes by the spring. Of course, anyappropriate mechanism (e.g., a pin instead of a steel ball) may be usedto maintain the monoculars 32, 34 in a deployed position and/or in anunused (stowed) position.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the binocular system 30 is illustratedwith the monocular 32 (and the monocular 34, not shown in FIGS. 10A and10B) tilted down (in the case of FIG. 10A) or up (in the case of FIG.10B). In an embodiment herein, the monoculars 32, 34 are tilted intandem, although other configurations are possible. The mechanism forperforming the tilting is described in more detail elsewhere herein. Auser may tilt the monoculars for any number of reasons, including thedesire to use the monoculars 32, 34 to comfortably observe a scene thatis higher or lower than the user's head. In an embodiment herein, thetilt adjustment for the monoculars 32, 34 may range from minus ten toplus ten degrees, although other ranges are possible.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the binocular system 30 is shown in more detailwithout the helmet 40 and without the mounting plate 47. A base plate62, which is coupled to the bracket 42 and to the hinges 44, 46,provides a first hinge portion 64 for the hinge 44 and provides a secondhinge portion 66 for the hinge 46. In an embodiment herein, the baseplate 62 is a single unitary piece. However, in other embodiments, thebase plate 62 may be provided by more than one piece. The base plate 62is discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. The hinges 44, 46 mayincluding springs (not shown) or a similar mechanism to urge themonoculars 32, 34 into a particular position (e.g., a deployedposition).

A helmet mount insert button 72 and a helmet mount insert slide 74 maybe used to facilitate removing and attaching the binocular system 30from and to a helmet. The helmet mount insert slide 74 includes a firstlip 76 while the bracket 42 includes a second, opposing, lip 78. Asdescribed in more detail elsewhere herein, the lips 76, 78 engage themounting plate 47 (not shown in FIG. 11) to attach the binocular system30 to a helmet. The helmet mount insert slide 74 is spring actuated tourge the lips 76, 78 apart to maintain the binocular system attached tothe helmet. A user may push on the helmet mount insert button 72 to urgethe lips 76, 78 together to attach or detach the binocular system, asexplained in more detail elsewhere herein.

The binocular system 30 also includes a height adjustment lever 82 thatfacilitates adjusting the height of the monoculars 32, 34 relative tothe bracket 42, and thus relative to the user. Changing the height ofthe monoculars 32, 34 is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6, discussedabove. A user urges the height adjustment lever 82 toward the center ofthe binocular system (i.e., toward the left as shown in FIG. 11) toallow the user to raise or lower the monoculars 32, 34 by hand. Once thedesired height is achieved, the user releases the height adjustmentlever 82. Adjusting the height of the monoculars 32, 34 is discussed inmore detail elsewhere herein.

Referring to FIG. 11B, the binocular system 30 also includes a tiltadjustment lever 84, which facilitates adjusting the tilt of themonoculars 32, 34, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Auser adjusts the tilt of the monoculars 32, 34 by urging the tiltadjustment lever 84 in a somewhat circular motion to rotate the baseplate 62 about the rivet 86 (and another similar rivet, not shown).Adjusting the tilt of the monoculars 32, 34 is discussed in more detailelsewhere herein.

Referring to FIG. 12, the mounting bracket 42 is shown in more detailwith the mounting plate 47. The view of FIG. 12 is from the inside ofthe helmet 40 (not shown in FIG. 12) looking outward. The mounting plate47 may be attached to the helmet 40 using any appropriate mechanism,including bolts, epoxy, rivets, straps, etc. In addition, the mountingplate 47 may be any shape that is effective to provide appropriatemounting thereof on the helmet 40. The mounting plate 47 may be mountedon headgear other than a helmet, such as a construction hardhat, a headmask, a head harness, etc.

The mounting plate 47 has an opening 92 that accepts the mountingbracket 42. The distance between the lips 76, 78 is greater than thesize of the opening when the helmet mount insert slide 74 is in thedeployed position. When a user pushes on the helmet mount insert button72 in a direction toward the lip 78, the lip 76 is urged in thedirection of pushing so that the distance between the lips 76, 78 isdecreased enough to insert the mounting bracket 42 into the opening 92or to take the mounting bracket 42 out of the opening 92, asappropriate. Note that other attachment mechanisms are possibleincluding, without limitation, providing a combination of one or morelips, cutouts, and/or notches on the mounting plate 47 that engages themounting bracket 42 which may also include some combination of one ormore lips, cutouts, and/or notches that are either similar to ordifferent from those provided on the mounting plate 47.

Referring to FIG. 13, the mounting bracket 42 and the mounting plate 47are shown in a direction from outside the helmet 40 (not shown in FIG.13) looking in. A pin 94 is provided at an end of the helmet mountinsert slide 74 to help guide the slide 74 to slide in a longitudinaldirection. A spring 96 urges the slide 74 in a direction that increasesthe distance between the lips 76, 78 (not shown in FIG. 13). A userpushes on the helmet mount insert button 72 to compress the spring 96and decrease the distance between the lips 76, 78 to facilitateinserting and extracting the mounting bracket 42 from the mounting plate47.

Referring to FIG. 14, the binocular system 30 is shown without any ofthe mounting bracket 42, the mount insert slide 74, etc. A tilt base 102is coupled to the base plate 62, and is used to couple the mountingbracket 42 to the base plate 62. The tilt base 102 includes a pluralityof notches 104 that are engaged by the height adjustment lever 82. Theheight adjustment lever 82 is attached at one end thereof to a heightadjustment plate 105. A spring 106, which is coupled to the tilt base102 and to the height adjustment lever 82, urges the height adjustmentlever 82 toward the notches 104. A user adjusts the height of themonoculars 32, 34 by temporarily disengaging the height adjustment lever82 from the notches 104, moving the monoculars 32, 34, base plate 62,tilt base 102, etc. by hand, relative to the height adjustment plate105, and then releasing the height adjustment lever 82 so that theheight adjustment lever 82 reengages the notches 104 at the desiredheight.

Referring to FIG. 15, the base plate 62 is shown in detail with the tiltbase 102 and the tilt adjustment lever 84. The tilt adjustment lever 84has a cam 112 attached to an end thereof that engages the tilt base 102.The tilt base 102 is pivotably coupled to the base plate 62 by the rivet86 and an opposing rivet (not shown) that allow the base plate 62 tomove in response to actuation of the tilt adjustment lever 84. An end ofthe tilt adjustment lever 84 rotates in a hole in the tilt base 102 andthe cam 112 engages (pushes against) the base plate 62 to adjust thedistance between the base plate 62 and the tilt base 102. In anembodiment herein, the tilt adjustment lever 84 and/or the tilt base 102may maintain a particular position due to friction. Of course, any oneor more other appropriate mechanisms may be used.

Referring to FIG. 16, the monocular 32 is attached to the arm 36 using aguide rail 122 and a slide block 124. The monocular 34 (not shown inFIG. 16) may be similarly attached. The slide block 124 may include aslide adjustment button 126. The slide block 124 is fixed to the sliderail 122 and engages notches therein when the slide adjustment button126 is in an up position. When the slide adjustment button 126 is in adown position, the monocular 32 may be moved fore and aft (seediscussion above in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5) and may be movedcloser to or farther from the other monocular 34 (i.e., side to side,see discussion above in connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B). The slideadjustment button 126 may use friction engagement or any otherappropriate technique (e.g., cam locks) to cause the slide block 124 toengage the guide rail 122.

Referring to FIG. 17, the binocular system 30 is illustrated from afront position (e.g., in front of where a user would be). In anembodiment herein, the monoculars 32, 34 may be conventional,commercially available oculars that are also provided on systems such asthe AN/PVS-14 or AN/PVS-15 night vision devices. The binocular system 30includes a compartment 132 that contains electronics therefor (notshown), such as a PCB board containing electronic components thatprovide night vision functionality. A battery (not shown) provided inthe battery compartment 52 provides power to the electronics, which maybe turned on and off using the rotary switch.

In an embodiment herein, the battery may be replaced by opening thebattery compartment 52. In some embodiments, it may be possible to usean external power source in addition to, or instead of, a battery. Itmay be possible to provide a mechanism, such as a microswitch orsimilar, that turns off each of the monoculars 32, 34 when themonoculars 32, 34 are placed in a stowed position.

It is useful to provide collimation of the monoculars 32, 34 to avoiddouble vision and/or headaches and stress that result from viewingnon-collimated stereoscopic images. In an embodiment herein, themonoculars 32, 34 are collimated to less than one degree of convergenceand less than 0.3 degrees of dipvergence/divergence. Note that all ofthe movements for the monoculars 32, 34 provided herein maintain thecollimation of the monoculars. Thus, for example, the monoculars 32, 34may be moved fore and aft and side to side without changing thecollimation therebetween. Similarly, the monoculars 32, 34 may (also) betilted and/or lifted without changing the collimation therebetween.Optical collimation may be provided using any appropriate mechanism,such as set screws (not shown) provided in the base plate 62 under thearms 36 and 38 between the hinges 44, 46 and any electrical connectorsthat are adjusted to move the monoculars 32, 34 independently in onedimension. In addition, the monoculars 32, 34 may be independentlytilted up or down in using the slide block 124 and (and a correspondingother slide block) by providing adjustment in another dimension. It isalso possible to add shim components inside of the slide block 124 (anda corresponding other slide block) to ensure good collimation

Referring to FIG. 18, an alternative binocular system 30′ is shown withan external source 142 that provides an electronic or optical signal toan alternative monocular 32′ and or possible a second alternativemonocular (not shown in FIG. 18) that has been modified to accept andprocess the electronic signal and/or overlapping optical image. Theexternal source may be another night vision camera, a thermal imagingdevice, a conventional video camera, etc. The monocular 32′ may acceptand display the electronic signal as a single image or may superimposean image corresponding to the electronic signal onto another imageotherwise provided by the monocular 32′. For example, the monocular 32′may be a night vision device and the source 142 may be a thermal imagingcamera. The user may then see a night vision image superimposed with thethermal image or may see the thermal image only. The images may beswitchable so that the user can switch between a night vision imageprovided by the monocular 32 and the thermal image provided by thesource 142.

The source 142 may be mounted anywhere, including on top of the helmet40, the compartment 132 (shown in FIG. 17), or may be held by the user.The source 142 may even be separate from the user (e.g., held by anotheruser, mounted on a vehicle, etc.). The signal may be provided from thesource 142 to the system 30′ using a conventional electrical and/orfiber optical connection, as shown, or may use any other appropriatesignal transmission techniques, such as wireless Bluetooth transmission.Note also that the source 142 may provide any type of visualinformation, such as text, graphics, etc.

The system described herein may be implemented using the hardwaredescribed herein, variations thereof, or any other appropriate hardwarecapable of providing the functionality described herein. Thus, forexample, the specific mechanical components illustrated herein may bereplaced with similar components that provide appropriate functionality.It is also possible to provide additional components without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Such additional componentsinclude a compass mounted on the system 30 that provides a visualdirectional indication through one or both of the monoculars 32, 34.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with variousembodiments, modifications thereon will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the inventionis set forth in the following claims.

1. A binocular system, comprising: a first monocular; a secondmonocular; a first arm coupled to a base plate via a first hinge andcoupled to the first monocular; and a second arm coupled to the baseplate via a second hinge and coupled to the second monocular, whereineach of the monoculars rotates about a corresponding one of the hingesso that a normally forward portion of the monocular faces backward.
 2. Abinocular system, according to claim 1, further comprising: a mountingbracket coupled to the base plate; a tilt base, interposed between themounting bracket and the base plate; and a tilt lever, having a cam thatis operatively engaged with the tilt base, wherein actuation of thelever causes the base plate to tilt with respect to the mountingbracket.
 3. A binocular system, according to claim 2, wherein tiltingthe monoculars does not change collimation thereof when deployed.
 4. Abinocular system, according to claim 1, further comprising: a mountingbracket coupled to the base plate; a tilt base, interposed between themounting bracket and the base plate, the tilt base having notchestherein; a height adjustment lever having a portion that engages thenotches of the tilt base; and a spring that urges the height adjustmentlever toward the notches, wherein disengaging the height adjustmentlever from the notches allows for the height of the monoculars to beadjusted.
 5. A binocular system, according to claim 4, wherein adjustingthe height of the monoculars does not change collimation thereof whendeployed.
 6. A binocular system, according to claim 1, wherein the armsare oriented at substantially a 50 degree angle with respect to ahorizontal axis.
 7. A binocular system, according to claim 6, whereinrotating each of the monoculars about a corresponding hinge thereofcauses each of the monoculars to be in an unused state.
 8. A binocularsystem, according to claim 7, wherein the monoculars may beindependently placed in an unused state.
 9. A binocular system,according to claim 7, wherein the system is mounted on a helmet.
 10. Abinocular system, according to claim 9, wherein each of the monocularsplaced in an unused state is maintained below the top of the helmet. 11.A binocular system, according to claim 1, further comprising: a mountingbracket coupled to the base plate; a helmet mount insert slide slidablycoupled to the mounting bracket and having a lip thereon; and anopposing lip provided on the mounting bracket, wherein sliding thehelmet mount insert slide changes the distance between the lips.
 12. Abinocular system, according to claim 11, further comprising: a mountingplate attached to a helmet; and a spring that urges the lips apart,wherein the binocular system is attached to a helmet by urging the lipscloser together using the helmet mount insert slide and then insertingthe mounting bracket in the mounting plate prior to releasing the helmetmount insert slide.
 13. A binocular system, according to claim 1,wherein at least one of the monoculars is a night vision device.
 14. Abinocular system, according to claim 1, further comprising: a batterycompartment; and a rotary switch.
 15. A binocular system, according toclaim 1, further comprising: an external source, coupled to thebinocular system, that provides an electronic signal thereto.
 16. Abinocular system, according to claim 15, wherein the electronic signalis a thermal image signal.
 17. A binocular system, according to claim16, wherein the thermal image signal is superimposed on a visual imageprovided by one of the monoculars.
 18. A binocular system, according toclaim 16, wherein the thermal image signal replaces a visual imageprovided by one of the monoculars.
 19. A binocular system, comprising: afirst monocular; a second monocular; a first arm coupled to a base platevia a first hinge and coupled to the first monocular; and a second armcoupled to the base plate via a second hinge and coupled to the secondmonocular, wherein each of the monoculars rotates about a correspondingone of the hinges along an axis of rotation of each of the hinges is notparallel to an axis of collimation of each of the monoculars and whereinthe monoculars are collimated when rotated into a deployed position.